RAMAT GAN, ISRAEL, JULY 27 - The 2011 Annual Conference on Business in China held in cooperation with the Israel Export Institute and the Israel Manufacturers Association gathered more than 550 business owners, senior managers and academics in Leonardo City Tower.

Among the subjects discussed were the:

Latest economic and commercial developments in China

Business models applicable to the Chinese market

The Chinese 12th five-year plan (2011 - 2015) - its principals and the implied business opportunities

Chinese investments in Israel: source of apprehension or an opportunity?

Credit insurance - what are the possible courses and available solutions for Israeli companies?

Intellectual property issues - what is new in China in this aspect?

Among the Speakers were: Avi Hefetz, director General at the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, Dan Katarivas, head of the foreign trade department at the Israel Manufacturers Association, Nili Shalev, head of supportive tools formation at the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Industry Trade and Labor, Adv. Ashok Chandrishikar, Haim Cohen, CEO at D&B - Dun and Bradstreet, Yacov Pedhatzur, CEO at Netafim Asia, Zvi Halamish, CEO of Ashra and more.

Zvi Shalgo, founder and CEO at PTL Group, participated in a panel of CEOs from Israeli companies already active in China. He presented the Changzhou Industrial Incubator Initiative (CI3) as a way of dealing with local competition, and explained how this new model helps foreign manufactures to reduce the initial investment and risks associated with entering a complex and unfamiliar market.

He also mentioned that "foreign companies now require local manufacturing investments to maintain their competitive edge, but many Israeli companies shy away from investment in manufacturing in China because of uncertainty regarding the success of sales. The new Industrial Incubator allows the beginning of production in small series and subsequent increases depending on the volume of sales in the Chinese market, without the high investment required for setting up a factory."

SHANGHAI, DECEMBER 9 - Zvi Shalgo, PTL Group’s CEO, gave an opening presentation at the “The World’s Financial Crisis and What It Means to China” event, organized by the Israel-China Chamber in Shanghai and held in Citt’a Espresso Club. Over 50 members of the Chamber attended this event. Among the other speakers at the event were Prof. Xiaozu Wang from the School of Management at Fudan University, Consul General Jacky Eldan of Israel, Ambassador Miguel Alfredo Velloso of Argentina, Yuval Atsmon of McKinsey & Co. and Ilan Maimon, owner of Sigma Group.

The speakers have shared their views on the current economic situation in China and its influence on the activities of the foreign companies. While most of the speakers pointed out that it was still to early to predict the way the Global Financial Crisis will effect foreign businesses in China. Several operational approaches available to managers where discussed; restructuring companies using the crisis as a good reason to do so, focusing and fine tuning companies business models, expanding strategies during the crisis period. A general theme held by most speakers was a focus on taking advantage and reacting to the opportunities during the period ahead.

SHANGHAI, DECEMBER 9 - Zvi Shalgo, PTL Group’s CEO, gave an opening presentation at the “The World’s Financial Crisis and What It Means to China” event, organized by the Israel-China Chamber in Shanghai and held in Citt’a Espresso Club. Over 50 members of the Chamber attended this event. Among the other speakers at the event were Prof. Xiaozu Wang from the School of Management at Fudan University, Consul General Jacky Eldan of Israel, Ambassador Miguel Alfredo Velloso of Argentina, Yuval Atsmon of McKinsey & Co. and Ilan Maimon, owner of Sigma Group.

The speakers have shared their views on the current economic situation in China and its influence on the activities of the foreign companies. While most of the speakers pointed out that it was still to early to predict the way the Global Financial Crisis will effect foreign businesses in China. Several operational approaches available to managers where discussed; restructuring companies using the crisis as a good reason to do so, focusing and fine tuning companies business models, expanding strategies during the crisis period. A general theme held by most speakers was a focus on taking advantage and reacting to the opportunities during the period ahead.